Fulton County sets 2025 general‑fund millage at 8.87 after hours of public comment; commissioners debate jail consent decree costs

Fulton County commissioners voted 6–1 on Aug. 6 to set the 2025 general‑fund millage at 8.87 mills, rejecting a proposal that county staff and some commissioners had earlier allowed to be advertised at a higher ceiling. The vote came after more than three hours of in‑person public comment and a lengthy midyear budget briefing by county finance staff.

Why it matters: The millage decision determines the county portion of property tax bills for thousands of homeowners and renters. The discussion also surfaced a broader budgeting question: county financial staff told the commission the midyear review projects roughly $69 million more available this year than assumed when the budget was adopted, but commissioners said the county faces uncertain, multiyear obligations including a federal consent decree tied to jail conditions.

Public comments and pressure

Dozens of residents, municipal officials and advocacy groups urged commissioners not to raise property taxes this year. State Rep. Deborah Silcox said the advertised 12.49% effective increase “will disproportionately affect senior citizens and those that are disadvantaged in our community.” Roswell Council member Lee Hills warned the hike would add “roughly $300 average per household” for Roswell residents and said rising local tax bills were already driving people and businesses to lower‑tax counties.

Several speakers described personal hardship. Maria Gaudio told commissioners, “Personally, my property taxes have doubled in the last two years.” Matt Ronzak, a Fulton County resident, said, “The public has said loud and clear, they do not support this,” and asked the board to roll back the rate.

Midyear budget review: numbers and tradeoffs

County finance staff presented a midyear review showing the general‑fund revenue and expenditure picture under two millage scenarios. At the currently adopted rate of 8.87 mills, staff projected roughly $930 million in total revenue and…